Water supply units for glass washers and the like



y 1, 1956 T. H. CORBETT 2,743,736

WATER SUPPLY UNITS FOR GLASS WASHERS AND THE LIKE Original Filed Sept.15. 1952 2 h e heet 1 Inventor United States Patent WATER SUPPLY UNITSFOR GLASS WASHERS AND THE LIKE Thomas H. Corbett, Chicago, Ill.

Original application September 15, 1952, Eerial No. 309,609, now PatentNo. 2,693,852, dated November 9, 1954. Divided and this applicationJanuary S, 1954, Serial No. 402,383 r 2 Claims. (Cl. 137*215) Thisapplication is a division of my copending application Serial No.309,609, filed September 15, 1952, now Patent No. 2,693,852 grantedNovember 9, 1954.

This invention relates to water supply units for glass washers and thelike, and particularly to such units that are adapted to have timingmeans associated therewith.

In commercial restaurant operation it is quite common to use glasswashing apparatus wherein rotating scrubbing drums operating in acleansing solution are utilized to scrub the inside and outside of eachglass, and after such cleansing operation, the glasses are placed inwire racks or baskets and are transferred into a rinsing compartment ofthe machine where a rinsing operation with hot water is performed. Oneform of scrubbing drum utilized in such machines is disclosed in VincentW. Cunningham Patent No. 2,153,238, patented April 4, 1939, but it willbe recognized insofar as the present invention is concerned, other formsof scrubbing or washing apparatus may be utilized.

The above mentioned rinsing operation is considered to be important notonly in removing the cleansing solution from the glass but also from thestandpoint of the sterilizing effect that may be obtained by maintainingthe rinsing water at a pre-determined high temperature and continuingthe rinsing operation for a pre-determined minimum period. Thissterilizing action has been considered so important in recent years thatunder manyof the public health codes in force in various cities andstates, a minimum water temperature and a minimum rinse period have beenestablished.

In an effort to simplify the matter of compliance with such publichealth codes, manufacturers of glass and dish washing equipment haveembodied automatically controlled means for governing the rinse period,and it is with this aspect of the glass washing machine that the presentinvention is concerned. In the prior efforts to automatically controlthe rinse period, various expedients have been employed, but suchexpedients have almost universally been considered to be too costly, orhave been difficult to repair and maintain. In view of this, it is theprimary object of the present invention to simplify the attainment of anautomatically controlled or timed rinse period in glass washing machinesof the aforesaid type, and objects related to the foregoing are toattain a timed rinse in such a machine through the use of mechanism thatis simple and inexpensive in character and which may be repaired orreplaced in a simple manner.

A further and important object of the present invention is to affordsuch a timed rinse structure for glass washing machines wherein thetiming action is obtained by hydraulic means, and a further object is toattain this end through the use of a hydraulic unit that may readily bereplaced without moving the glass washer and without disassembly of anyof the major elements of the glass washer.

In the prior mechanisms for attaining a timed rinse in glass washers, ithas been customary to employ electrical means which required theservices of electrical workers not only in the assembly but in anyrepair or replacement, and these prior devices were somewhat difficultof installation because of the necessity for establishing electricalconnections to the electrically operated elements, and in such priordevices the various electrical and electrically operated elements weredisposed about and within the cabinet in such a way to make assembly andrepair relatively clilficult. In view of this it is a further object ofthe present invention to aiford an automatic rinse controlling andtiming mechanism that is constructed as a unit which may readily beinstalled on a glass washer cabinet and which may be readily connectedwith the related parts or elements of the apparatus, and objects relatedto the foregoing are to afiiord such a unit wherein a control valve, astrainer and a vacuum breaker required in such glass washing machinesmay be associated as a unit at a single location on the glass washercabinet, thereby to facilitate assembly, and to provide a manifoldwhich, when mounted in place on the cabinet, will readily permit theinstallation, removal or replacement of the strainer, the vacuum breakerand a hydraulic timing unit embodying the features of the invention.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following description and claims and are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show a preferredembodiment of the present invention and the principle thereof and what Inow consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applyingthis principle. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same orequivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made asdesired by those skilled in the art without departing from the presentinvention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 has top front perspective view of a glass washer embodying thetimed rinse mechanism of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmental vertical sectional View taken substantially alongthe line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the timing unitand the related strainer and vacuum breaker elements, the view beingtaken at an enlarged scale from the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

For purposes of disclosure the invention is herein illustrated asembodied in glass washer 20 having a floor mounted cabinet C within theupper side of which a multiple compartment sink structure is mountedwhich affords a washing compartment 21, atlushing compartment 22 and arinsing compartment 23. The washing compartment 21 is located along theforward side of the cabinet and extends substantially one-half way tothe rear side of the cabinet, the flushing compartment occupying theremainder of the space between the washing compartment and therear wallof the structure. The rinsing compartment 23 occupies the right hand endportion of the sink structure and extends entirely between the front andrear walls of the sink structure. it will be noted that the divisionwall between the rinsing compartment and the other two compartments islocated substantially midway between the end walls of the cabinet, andthis enables a slidingcover 24 to be positioned selectively over therinsing compartment 23, or over the other two compartments. Thisconventional cover structure and relationship is utilized infacilitating the handling of the glasses and the trays or baskets inwhich such glasses are placed for convenience of handling after washing.

The washing compartment 21 has a pair of glass wash ing drums 25 mountedtherein on vertical axes in substantially the manner disclosed in theaforesaid Cunningham patent, and these glass washing drums 25 are arranged to operate in a submerged condition, the cleansing solution beingprovided in the compartment 21 so as to be above the upper level ofthese drums. The flushing compartment 22 has a removable perforated pan22? mounted therein, and a pair of flushing nozzles 22F are extendedthrough the bottom of this pan so that glasses that are unusually dirtymay be flushed before being washed in the constantly rotating scrubbingdrums During the washing operation, the cover 24 is located, in itsright hand position over the rinsing compartment 23, so that a rinsingoperation may be in progress during such washing of further glasses, anda basket is normally located at top of the cover 24 so that the glassesmay be placed in such basket according to conventional practice afterthe washing has been completed. The cover 24 is then slid to the left soas to disclose the interior of the rinsing compartment 23, and anyglasses contained therein are removed. The loaded tray of the newlywashed is then loaded into the rinsing compartment on to a pair ofsupporting rods 26 that are spaced upwardly from the bottom wall of therinsing compartment. The newly washed basket of glasses is then inposition for the performance of the rinsing operation, and after closureor" the cover 24, this is accomplished by a conventional rotatingrinsing arm 27 located in the bottom of the rinsing compartment 23 belowthe level of the rods 26 and by an upper stationary spray 28 thatprojects through the back wall of the rinsing compartment adjacent tothe upper edge thereof.

The rinsing operation is initiated and automatically timed andcontrolled by a timing unit 39 embodying the features of the presentinvention, and located on an upwardly facing rear ledge 31 that isformed along the rear edge of the sink structure, the unit 39 in thepresent instance being located directly behind the rinsing compartment23 so as to simplify the assembly of the structure.

As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the shelf 33. is

provided as a horizontal strip connecting the rear wall 23R of therinsing compartment 23 and the rearwardly spaced rear wall 32 of thecabinet C, and the control unit under the present invention is soconstructed and arranged that a common mounting casting 35 permanentlyfixed to the lower face of the shelf 31 in the space between the walls23R and 32. serves as a mounting for accessibly supporting andoperatively associating those elements of the control unit 30 to whichaccess must be had from time to time. Such elements comprise a removablestrainer 38, a replaceable valve unit 39, a hydraulic timer and controlmechanism 40, a vacuum breaker 41 and the nozzle 28. The casting 35 iselongated in form and has horizontal flanges 35F and a web portion 35Wforming a generally fiat upper surface 355 that fits against the lowerface of the ledge 31 and is secured thereby by a plurality of screws 42extended through the ledge 31 and threaded into the casting 35, and atspaced points along such upper surface 355 upwardly extending mountingor connecting means project through appropriate openings in the shelf orledge 31 for connection or mounting of the strainer 38, the valve unit39 and the vacuum break 41, as will be described hereinafter.

Thus, at the left end of the casting 358, as shown in Fig. 3, anupwardly extended sleeve 45 is formed which atfords an upwardcontinuation of a vertical chamber 46 that is formed in the casting 35.This chamber 46 terminates at its lower end in an upwardly facingannular shoulder 46S, and beyond this shoulder an inlet passage 47extends downwardly through a connecting nipple 48 which projects fromthe bottom of the casting 35. At its upper end the sleeve 45 isinternally threaded so that the cap 38C of the strainer unit 38 may beremovably mounted as a closure for the upper end of the chamber 46. Thestrainer comprises a cylindrical screen 38A, the lower end of which isseated on the shoulder 463. At its upper end the screen 38A is seated ina generally spherical recess 38B formed in the strainer cap 38C. Waterentering the inlet 47 and passing through the strainer 38 passes to theright from the chamber 46 through a horizontal passage 49 into a lowervalve chamber St) which is located beneath an upper valve chamber 51,and these two chambers are divided by an annular locating ledge orshoulder 52. At its upper end the chamber 51 is defined by an upwardlyprojecting nipple 53 which serves as a mounting means for the valve unit39, and this valve unit extends downwardly into the chambers 51 and 5tand cooperates with the shoulder 52 so as to control flow of waterfromthe lower chamber 59 to the upper chamber 51 as will be described indetail hereinafter.

Water that passes the valve into the upper chamber 5'1 then flows to theright, Fig. 3, through a horizontal passage 54 and then upwardly throughan upwardly projecting externally threaded nipple 55. This nipple 55constitutes one element of the mounting for the vacuum breaker 4t, andthe other mounting element is afforded by similar nipple 56 located nearthe right hand end of the casting 35 as shown in Pig. 3. The nipple 56opens downwardly into a distributing or outlet chamber 57, formed in thecasting the lower end of such chamber 57 terminating in a downwardlyprojecting nipple 58 through which connection with the rotating spraystructure 27 may be established in the usual manner. The outlet chamber57 also has a forward extension 59 into which the nozzle 23 is threadedso that the noszle 2? also receives water from the chamber 57. Thenozzle has a flange 23F which clamps the wall 23R against the annularend of the member 59. As shown in Fig. 2, the casting 35 has a rearwardprojection 59R similar to the element 59, this element 59R being castsolid and affording means whereby the casting may be readily used foreither right or left hand mounting.

The vacuum breaker ll is or" conventional form and has its inletconnected by a fitting 62 to the upper end of an inlet pipe 63, thelower end of which is connected by a fitting 64- to the nipple 55. Theoutlet of the vacuum breaker 41 is connected by an elbow 65 and afitting 66 to the upper end of a pipe 6'7, the lower end of which isconnected by a fitting 68 to the nipple 56.

The valve assembly 3% is conventional in structure and includes amounting cap 7% with a downwardly extended internally screw threadedannular flange and an upwardly extended concentric externally threadednipple 'TtlN. The nipple 7'llN has a valve stem slidably associatedtherewith in the manner disclosed in my aforesaid co-pending applicationand the valve stem has an upper head 71H which overlies the top of thenipple 7M1 and spring means act on the stem to urge the same upwardly.

The valve stem extends downwardly through a hollow sleeve 75 which abutsat its upper end against the lower surface of the cap 'Ftl. Near itslower end the sleeve '75 has a valve seat 78, above which outlet ports'7? are. formed in the sleeve l5, as described in my atforesaid(to-pending application. The passage afforded through the valve seat 78is controlled by a valve washer fixed on the lower end of the valve stemby means including a retainer 81 and a nut 32 threaded onto the lowerend of the valve stem. The valve 39 is mounted by inserting the valvedownwardly into the chamber 5?. and tightening the threaded flange Fonto the nipple 53, and this firmly presses the seat 78 onto the flangeor seat 52 of the casting 35. Thus the valve member 8t"), which is urgednormally to its seated or closed relation by the spring means that areincluded in the valve, serves to govern flow from the chamber 50 to thechamber 51, and the valve may be opened by downward actuation of thevalve stem 71.

The hydraulic timing and control unit it) is best shown in Fig. 3 of thedrawings and is afforded by a sectional cylindrical casing having alower section 85, an upper section 86, a cover 87 and an operatinghandle 88 that has rounded actuating head 881-1 and a downwardlyprojecting stem 888 that extends slidably downwardly through the cover87.

The lower section 85 of the casting is cylindrical in form with adownwardly extending mounting sleeve 89 formed thereon which isconcentric with the section 85 and which is internally threaded so thatthe section 85 may be mounted on the nipple 70N in axial alignment withthe valve 39 and with the head 71H of the valve stem located within aclearance chamber that is afforded within the sleeve 89. This clearancechamber provides for the required up and down movement of the head 71H.

While the full details of the structure and operation of the timer 40are set forth in my aforesaid application, it may be observed that bydownward actuation of the handle 88H, a stern within the section 85 isforced downwardly so as to actuate the valve member 80 to its openposition. As described in such co-pending application, the valve memberis maintained in its open position for a predetermined time by meansthat are housed within the section 85 of the timer.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the presentinvention affords a water suppjly and control unit for dishwashers,glass washers and the like that is extremely simple in structure andwhich may be readily and easily installed. This water supply unit is ofsuch a character that it is adapted to be located in a convenientlyaccessible location so that the servicing or replacement thereof may bereadily accomplished. Such servicing and replacement may, of course, bedone by an ordinary mechanic so as to make the upkeep and servicing ofthe glass washer relatively inexpensive.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment ofmy invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variationand modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to theprecise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changesand alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a unit for supplying water for a predetermined time interval in aglass washer or the like, an elongated manifold casting having a top,bottom walls, and vertical side and end walls and having a generallyflat upper face for locating said casting in its position of use, saidcasting having four upstanding connecting nipples formed on its upperwall, said casting having a strainer chamber formed beneath the first ofsaid nipples and having an inlet opening at the lower end thereof, astrainer located in said strainer chamber and having an element engagingsaid first nipple to hold the strainer in place, said casting having avalve inlet chamber and a valve outlet chamber located one above theother and beneath the second of said nipples, and said valve inletchamber having a passage connecting the same with said strainer chamber,a valve fixed to the second nipple and located in said valve inlet andoutlet chambers for controlling flow therebetween, a passage extendingfrom said outlet chamber to the third nipple, a distributing chamberlocated beneath and connected to the fourth nipple and having an outlet,and a vacuum breaker connected between and supported above the third andfourth nipples.

2. In a unit for supplying water for a predetermined time interval in aglass washer or the like, an elongated manifold casting having a top,bottom walls, and vertical side and end walls and having a generallyfiat upper face for locating said casting in its position of use, saidcasting having four upstanding connecting members formed on its upperwall, said casting having a strainer chamber formed beneath the first ofsaid members and having an inlet opening at the lower end thereof, astrainer located in said strainer chamber and having an element engagingsaid first member to hold the strainer in place, said casting havingvalve inlet chamber and a valve outlet chamber located one above theother and beneath the second of said members and said valve inletchamber having a passage connecting the same with said strainer chamber,a valve fixed to the second member and located in said valve inlet andoutlet chambers for controlling flow therebetween, a passage extendingfrom said outlet chamber to the third member, a distributing chamberlocated beneath and connected to the fourth member and having an outlet,and a vacuum breaker connected between and supported above the third andfourth members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS756,517 Miller Apr. 5, 1904 2,055,954 Tokheim Sept. 29, 1936 2,155,868Pauly Apr. 25, 1939 2,412,760 Svirsky Dec. 17, 1946 2,626,634 McDowellJan. 27, 1953 2,637,044 Low May 5, 1953 2,647,528 Bornegesser Aug. 4,1953 2,664,261 Stephany Dec. 29, 1953 2,704,083 Low Mar. 15, 1955

